Floods due to the unprecedented monsoon fury in Kerala have wrecked the tourism industry and seriously impacted the plantation sector, which are among the major revenue sources for the state.
Just as the tourism industry was recovering from the cancellation of bookings at hotels and resorts following the Nipah outbreak, heavy rains and floods came as a huge blow, say industry sources.
The plantation sector is estimated to have suffered huge losses due to the landslides and flooding that have claimed 39 lives and rendered over one lakh homeless in the latest phase of monsoon rains since early this month.
The picturesque high-range districts of Idukki and Waynad, the most sought after destinations by tourists, are among the worst hit.
landslips are continuing in various places and many pockets of the two districts are still flooded and road network also affected.